New York State Senator Reverend Diaz (D-Bronx) released the following statement today in response to reports of five active members and three retired members of the New York City Police Department who were arrested for smuggling illegal guns and counterfeit goods:

On Sunday, October 23, the Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace offered martial arts self-defense classes in response to the recent sexual assaults that have occurred in the community. Senator Adams shared sexual assault safety tips and crime tips with everyone to ensure safety for themselves and the community. Invited experts engaged in dialogue on crime prevention, demonstrated self-defense techniques designed for women, and helped them make sound decisions when faced with potentially dangerous situations.

Senator Reverend Diaz and Community Leader Sepulveda to Hold Meeting on Rising Crime in Parkchester

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, Community Leader Luis Sepulveda, Deputy Inspector Charles Ortiz from the 43rd Precinct, NAACP Parkchester Branch President Beverly Roberts, and leaders from Parkchester’s Bangladeshi Community will meet Today, Friday, October 21, 2011 at 12:00 noon at Senator Diaz’s District office located at 900 Rogers Place (near East 163rd Street and Westchester Avenue in The Bronx) to address the ongoing crime issues facing the community.

Continuing his aggressive efforts to strengthen criminal justice and victim services and raise awareness of violence against women, State Senator Mike Nozzolio is helping to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Queens Courier reported on the recent attacks on several Queens women. Senator Gianaris was present at the public conference to alert the community about the recent attackers. The senator's bill requiring the act of groping to be counted as a felony is just one way to attempt to reduce such dangers to our community.

For the past month, women in Sunnyside and Woodside have been looking over their shoulders for a predator on pedals.

With incidents of sexual assault rising across the five boroughs, the neighboring communities are the most recent areas to experience repeated sexual attacks on women.

NY1 reported on the recent attacks on Queens women. Senator Gianaris attended the press conference to speak out against Sunnyside/Woodside sexual predators. He also handed out flyers to raise awareness about these issues and inform people on how to act when they find themselves in such dangerous situations.

Police were searching Monday for a man they said tried to sexually assault a 23-year-old woman in Queens the previous night.

[...]

On Wednesday night, police say a man assaulted a 23-year-old woman in Laurelton.

Police were also looking for another man in a string of attacks around Woodside and Sunnyside.

Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) andAssemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-C, Brooklyn/Staten Island) todayannounced they are sponsoring legislation that will increase the penaltiesfor predators who attempt to lure or entice a child by various means. Thebill would enhance penalties for those who solicit youths for criminalactivity or sexual encounters by using a vehicle, meeting in a secludedarea, or through social media. The lawmakers made the announcement at apress conference held outside the Bay Ridge Branch of the Brooklyn PublicLibrary.

It took awhile, but clamoring uptown politicians have succeeded in meeting with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly about the spike in crime in Washington Heights and Inwood.

"Bureaucracies always work that way,” said state Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who has been leading the clamoring about crime for months now. “But at the end of the day he listened to us. We made our case and I do think we’re going to see some results.”

Joining Espaillat at the one-hour session at Police Headquarters this past Friday were uptown Council members Ydanis Rodriguez and Robert Jackson and Washington Heights District Leader Maria Luna. Others were invited but had scheduling conflicts.

Queens Gazette wrote about the effectiveness of the Distracted Driving Bill:

State Senator Michael Gianaris (D–Astoria) has praised the effectiveness of a new law, enacted recently, which has led to double the number of drivers ticketed for texting while driving in August 2011 than in August 2010.

The Distracted Driving Bill makes the use of portable devices while driving a primary offense, said Gianaris. But “previously using these devices while behind the wheel was a secondary offense and police could only stop motorists if they were committing another, primary offense—such as speeding or running another red light,” said Gianaris.

On Wednesday, October 5th, Senator Robach had the privilege to attend a press conference in commemoration of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The press conference, hosted by Alternatives for Battered Women, was held at the Crime Victims' Resource Center, in Rochester. I have been happy to work with advocates, law enforcement, and victims to sponsor legislation, which has strengthened domestic violence laws. For more information on ABW, visit their website here, http://www.abwrochester.org/.

On Wednesday, September 28th, Senator Adams, Save Our Streets (S.O.S.), Crown Heights Mediation Center and concerned community members gathered together at Brower Park and created a human chain of hands encircling the park as a gesture of community, unity and care. Senator Adams was one of the speakers to speak out against the recent shootings, and to stress the importance of making Brower Park as a safe space for all residents